FITZPATRICK WINS PLAY-OFF TO DEFEND EUROPEAN MASTERS TITLE
CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland: Matthew Fitzpatrick edged out Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard in a playoff on Sunday to become the first man to successfully defend the European Masters title at Crans Montana since Seve Ballesteros 40 years ago.
The 24-year-old Englishman, who missed out on a Ryder Cup wildcard pick earlier this week, birdied the 18th hole to reach 17-under par for the tournament and force a play-off, before repeating the feat on the first suddendeath hole to claim victory.
It was Fitzpatrick’s fifth European Tour title in only three years.
“This is what I wanted to achieve this season — another win,” he told europeantour.com. “To get it here again is so special and to get my fifth is amazing. I love this place.
“Of all my wins I’d say that was definitely the most difficult. I didn’t have my A game today, despite loving this place I just didn’t play my best today. I managed to grind it out, made some crucial birdies coming in and I’m delighted. This is one of my best.”
The world number 44 took a twoshot lead into the final day, but started slowly with two bogeys in the first six holes to slip two strokes adrift of Bjerregaard.
But he steadied the ship and a birdie at the par-five 15th saw him cut the gap to just a single shot.
His playing partner, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-vera, led briefly before a costly double-bogey on 14, and both were left needing to birdie the last to tie Bjerregaard in the clubhouse.
Lorenzo-vera bogeyed, but Fitzpatrick fired an excellent iron shot to just a few feet and converted the putt with ease. Another strong approach to the same green followed just minutes later, with a dead-eyed putt securing the win.